I am getting into a huge holiday slump! I came home from work on Thursday night and went to change from my work clothes and my skinny jeans wouldn't go over my right knee. It had been achy for a few days but now it is swollen and looks like my 250 lb knee looked.

Went to the Dr and got a referral to an orthopedic doc. I am just feeling so down! Losing 85+ lbs should eliminate this kind of thing (or at least that is what my crazy brain keeps telling me). I am now spending my vacation from work laid up on the couch trying to talk myself out of grazing on snacky foods all day! Also, I wish that I could take a NSAID. I really think that getting the swelling down would make a huge difference!

This sweet gingerbread shirt is doing its best to keep my spirits up!

I am getting into a huge holiday slump! I came home from work on Thursday night and went to change from my work clothes and my skinny jeans wouldn't go over my right knee. It had been achy for a few days but now it is swollen and looks like my 250 lb knee looked. ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1450652336.698231.jpg

Went to the Dr and got a referral to an orthopedic doc. I am just feeling so down! Losing 85+ lbs should eliminate this kind of thing (or at least that is what my crazy brain keeps telling me). I am now spending my vacation from work laid up on the couch trying to talk myself out of grazing on snacky foods all day! Also, I wish that I could take a NSAID. I really think that getting the swelling down would make a huge difference! ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1450652667.634602.jpg

This sweet gingerbread shirt is doing its best to keep my spirits up!

I did so much damage to my joints that even with a loss of 145 lbs., I've still undergone joint replacement surgery and I take pain meds and NSAIDS daily to deal with the pain and discomfort in my knees and other joints. I also am able to walk without a cane and in much less pain than before losing the weight so I know to take the good with the bad. I don't know why you can't take NSAIDS but don't feel like a failure for having to go through this. Think of it this way...if you hadn't lost the 85 lbs. you would probably be in much worse shape (knee-wise I mean)

Take an NSAID if you need one. Don't take them excessively on a daily basis and you will be fine.

Thanks ladies!

R.I.C.E

R - rest

I - ice

C- complain. I kid! Compression

E - elevate

Take a Tylenol for Arthritis (?)

Take an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) - just don't do it often or everyday. Rub some Voltaren (Diclofenic) on, this is a topical anti-inflammatory. Can you take that?

Or A5-35

Or something like that?

Just think how much worse it would be with that extra 85+ pounds.....

Don't think of the negative, think of the positive...you've done so well and yes, have had a minor set back (swollen painful knee) but you're looking and must be feeling so much healthier, right!?!?!

Happy Holidays to you and take care of that knee!

I'd take the NSAID. I just had both saphenous veins ablated and varicose veins removed. I was ordered to take 800mg ibuprofen three times/day for a week to help reduce the inflammation around the veins. That's a really high dose but they were very adamant. My surgeon said it would be OK as long as I took a PPI and carafate while I was on the NSAID. but I am VSG, not bypass, so you want to be very careful....carafate won't do a thing for your disconnected stomach. Talk to your surgeon about a temporary "safe" dose.

Besides the NSAID, they've also gave me the RICE orders, so welcome to the club!

Saw my bariatric PA the other day, asked her if there were any anti-inflammatories I could take. She said no. She said with the by-pass, if I use Ibuprofen etc. I will get an ulcer, it is just a matter of when. I will ask her about the topicals.... the Tylenol does absolutely nothing for me.... nothing at all, even in high doses.

I feel your pain literally.

The reality is, the damage to our joints and body is pretty much done. I have been dealing with severe osteoarthritis in my spine for years and although I lost 135lbs, nothing but surgery has helped.

Now I am looking at shoulder surgery and possibly one more spine surgery.

I know if I was still 135lbs heavier my knees and ankles were bad too and are better. I have had to have 2 back surgeries since June, both were much much safer because of my significant weight loss.

I too wish I could take NSAIDs but have been told to stay away completely unless there is no other alternative.

I hope you get well soon!

Ask for Voltaren Gel. It is prescription TOPICAL anti-inflammatory so it should be fine because it doesn't process through your stomach. (At least I was told it would be ok.) Also as heather said, elevate it, wrap it and ice it - 20 minutes on/20 minutes off for probably 3 or 4 times per day. Also, I have been told that you can take NSAID on a rare occasion as long as you are taking a PPI. It probably won't be enough to really help your knee though. The Voltaren Gel should help until you can determine if something else needs to be done.

Sorry you are having a bummer vacation!

Thank you all for the support! I am at the orthopedic specialist hopefully they will be able to give me some good advice (not surgery ????) as well!

Thank you all for the support! I am at the orthopedic specialist hopefully they will be able to give me some good advice (not surgery ) as well!

Hoping for the best for you.

Very sorry this happened.

Knee pain sucks outright.......but......at least you are gonna be able to wear some hot looking jeans once the swelling is down. Be sexy in spite of that knee.

Good luck! My 100# plus weight loss has made a huge difference in my mobility, but as we heard, the years of 400# plus had a negative effect on my joints... but at age 64, the increased mobility is wonderful, but still get more aches and pains than those who were always skinny.... I consider it some of the old baggage, lessons learned, and a real consequence of being so heavy, but no longer that obese, much lighter, much much healthier. Hope your appointment goes well.

The X-ray didn't show any thing so they are sending me for a MRI. Fingers crossed that they can get me in before the end of the year as I've already reached my out of pocket maximum for 2015. As most of you suggested the RX for now is rest, ice and elevation.

Quinoa and Kale, my new ice pack of choice!

I have "joint" issues too from the years of obesity. emotionally, it kinda bummed me out - I felt a little ripped off that I finally got fit and yet the joint issues are worse! Well, truth be told, the damage was already DONE and it was just a matter of time before the problems showed up....

I shopped around awhile before I found an orthopedic doctor that made me feel... energized toward helping myself! Since then, the universe has dropped people into my life that have had joint replacements, and they aren't way old and they were never obese. Maybe I am being a baby, but that helped me feel less guilt, less negative energy around the whole topic.

One thing i learned is that xrays show the "gap" but don't show the condition of the cartilige. So, my hip X-rays as mild to moderate arthritis but my pain and range of motion issues indicate that the cartillage is not in such great shape. I am looking at a hip replacement in 3-4 years max, but in the meantime have strategies for managing. I have a hinky left knee (to be honest both are arthritic but the right one doesn't hurt). I am a little scared at the prospect of all the surgeries ahead of me HOWEVER - I am so much better off at a lighter weight. Ortho doc has me convinced that a high level of fitness, strength and flexibility will help me with those future surgeries so I have a strategy to get myself "ready" and it is a lot more positive state to be. Contrast this to the doc who felt I was doing okay because I could put my own socks on - say what??? i aspire for more...

Contrast this to the doc who felt I was doing okay because I could put my own socks on - say what??? i aspire for more....

@@CowgirlJane Heck yeah! Being able to put on socks is great and all but we didn't put all this work and dedication into our health to stop at that! We all have so much more in store for ourselves than more pain and limitations!

Edited December 21, 201510 yr by rosemary79

I have osteo-arthritis. Like others have said, the weight loss won't undo years of abuse. I keep my issues at bay with Water aerobics however every so often my right knee will still bother me. I regularly sleep with a pillow under it. As for NSAIDs the issue is that the can cause stomach irritation and lead to ulcers. If you need to take them, just be careful. Most doctors will allow it if there is no other alternative.